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If you value New Port Richey Library, support it

In her April 15 column, Barbara Fredericksen congratulated the New Port Richey Library on winning the first statewide Library of the Year Award from the Florida Library Association, and on April 21, Bridget Hall Grumet's article "New Port Richey Library is top shelf, award shows" ran in the Pasco Times. We wish to thank the writers for recognizing the prestigious award and add that the "buzzing little library," as Fredericksen calls it, has brought a honey of a victory home to the community it serves.

Florida has 515 public library service outlets (main libraries, branches, bookmobiles). Most of the state's 39 public colleges and universities are multicampus institutions, each with several libraries. Florida has nearly 30 private colleges and universities, each with at least one library. The state also has 14 "special libraries" attached to attractions such as Mote Marine Laboratory and the Ringling Art Museum in Sarasota. All of these libraries are eligible to join the Florida Library Association and compete for its awards.

Last year, Florida Secretary of State Glenda Hood published Florida's Public Libraries Build Strong Economies: A Taxpayer Return on Investment Report, showing that Florida's public libraries return $6.54 for every $1 invested. The economic development benefits are seen in jobs created, increased wages for Florida's work force and positive impact on Florida's gross regional product. The report estimates the total economic return attributable to Florida public libraries at $2.9-billion.

Economic development, lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and youth services are just some of the crucial contributions of public libraries to their communities. The New Port Richey Library's selection as the "Library of the Year" should be a source of pride and optimism to all residents of Pasco County. The library has demonstrated its value to the community. Now it is time for the community to show that it values the library. A good place to start is support for construction of a new library to keep pace with the city's growth.

Carmine J. Bell, Joan Rees and Lynn Rothman Friends of the New Port Richey Library

Richard Milburn Academy helped my son

There have been a lot of articles in the newspaper recently regarding the status and possibly closing of Richard Milburn Academy. As a parent whose son attends there I can only say that the school has done an excellent job regarding the education of my son. While he was attending a public high school, he was promised a lot of things regarding the classes he needed to make sure he received all of the credits for graduating. Broken promises.

I tried several times to talk to his guidance counselor to see what was going on. I never heard a thing back. So I enrolled him into Richard Milburn. What a difference. I was always able to talk to someone. If I had to leave a message, I received a call back in a reasonable amount of time. His grades and attendance improved.

It would be a shame to see this school close. The staff and teachers are wonderful and caring. My son, who graduates this year, would have dropped out if it wasn't for this school. Where are these students who need this type of school setting going to go? I believe that this school has helped a lot students who would have given up long ago.

Tina Kanaris, Hudson

Wait on all facts in alleged rape at school

Re: High school should have told parents about rape, May 15 letter.

The letter writer is upset, as any parent would be, over an alleged rape at Wesley Chapel High School. I, too, am a parent and am concerned with what seems to be a lack of respect for one's self and others.

But everyone needs to remember that there are always two sides to every story, and this is an alleged incident and should remain so until all the facts are in.

Gail Gaskins, Wesley Chapel

Dedicated volunteers spur relay success

Congratulations are warranted for all of the dedicated volunteers and staff members who have made the recent Relay for Life at Gulf High School, New Port Richey, a tremendous success. This adds the additional successes of the other relays held this year in Pasco County and continued with the relay at the J.W. Mitchell High School.

Most of the work on the Relay for Life is done through community volunteers, many of whom are cancer survivors. Their hard work and enthusiasm are strong motivators for all of us oncology caregivers and are a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

The Relay for Life is a major local fundraising event for American Cancer Society. The money raised is used to continue important programs promoting an awareness education research and support for cancer patients and their families. The American Cancer Society has played a critical role in the continued development of cancer care in this country since its inception in 1913. Only 2 to 3 percent of funds raised are used for operating overhead, so we can all be reassured that money donated is truly used where needed in the community.

Cancer has touched most of our lives, and all of Pasco benefits through the efforts of these devoted individuals.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, May 27, North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, New Port Richey, will be having a Memorial Day Service. This service, to honor those who have fought to preserve our freedom and have given their all in military service, will include an avenue of American flags and presentation of American flags from families of fallen American service members.

There will be no Mexican or foreign flags flying at this Memorial Day Service. Those immigrants who want amnesty from the United States of America to become Americans should at the least display their desire by waving the American flag. But then, maybe they just want the American way of life without any price. Perhaps those who want amnesty should be required to spend a couple of years in the military to really understand the cost for American freedom.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Flags will be placed on veterans graves by the youth groups and the VFW. In addition, veterans organizations will be selling poppies to benefit veterans in need.

Because our country is in conflict throughout the Middle East, whether we agree in the reason, we should show support for the men and women who proudly stand to the call of duty. Display your support by waving an American flag.

Steve E. Ward, commander Chester McKay VFW Post 7987 Gerald J. Robbins, MD, medical adviser Pasco Unit, American Cancer Society

Two final wishes on citizenship, lobbyists

Being many years of age, there are two things I would like to see happen before I pass to another world:

1. The United States to insist that illegal immigrants be given time to learn to speak English and to get their citizenship papers. If they don't get their citizenship papers, send them back to where they came from.

2. The state of Florida to vote to illegalize all lobbyists in Tallahassee.

George M. Doepp, New Port Richey

Foundation helps physically challenged

I am writing to congratulate my friend's son, Gregory, a fifth-grader, who was nominated and awarded a Chair Scholars Foundation scholarship.

The Chair Scholar Foundation Inc. is an organization funded by Alicia and Dr. Hugo Keim 1992. The foundation provides college or vocational school education to those who would otherwise have no means of obtaining an education beyond high school due to very serious physical challenges and lack of family finances. Chair Scholars has awarded 458 college and vocational school scholarships in just 14 years. This includes 66 Chair Scholar scholarships this year alone. The Web site for the foundation is www.chairscholars.org Students are selected based on the disability and financial need. Most are awarded grants for up to four years of college study.

Gregory is one of those students. As a baby, Gregory battled cancer, as a result of his cancer, he lost one of his eyes and has a glass, or prosthetic, eye. At this time though, Gregory is a thriving, bright, healthy 11-year-old. He enjoys school, playing video games and spending time with his family and friends.

I am very glad Gregory's teacher nominated him for this award and so proud he won. He is definitely a deserving young man and, I am thankful he will now have the opportunity to further his education.

Thank you to his teacher and the Chair Scholars Foundation!

Allison Ann Corsones, New Port Richey

Column another reminder for pool safety

Re: A son's life saved, a lesson for all families, Andrew Skerritt column, May 9.

This story about the pool certainly rings true. When we had our pool installed, my sons were 17 and 15, and we didn't worry about toddlers falling into the pool. We do have a good friend who was babysitting her two grandchildren. When she went to help one, the little girl got through the screen door and drowned in their pool. Although this was many years ago, the trauma is still felt in the family.

There finally came a time when our sons provided us with grandchildren and their possible access was a constant concern of mine. We have three sliding doors that I worked on to assure that no grandchild would have access to the pool. We also have a conventional door that opens from the central bathroom to the pool patio. That has a lock and a dead bolt. I felt secure.

Note that the locks on the sliders were all located at the top of the doors, where little fingers couldn't touch. One day, grandchild No. 4 was at the house and had to use the bathroom. He was about 21/2 at the time. The outside door was locked and dead bolted. He finished what he was doing and let himself out of the bathroom and knocked on the sliding door. We were flabbergasted!

The next day, I installed another dead bolt lock on that bathroom door, just a few inches from the top of the door. Now the kids are safe, but we've had to unlock the door for my mother-in-law, who was too short to reach.

I am surprised at how many children continue to drown in pools in spite of all the publicity generated. A moment of inattention can be disastrous. I hope your column opens the eyes of some other guardians and prevents this from happening to someone else's toddler.

[Last modified May 16, 2006, 12:07:49]